Whats The Alternative
Trouble is what is on offer at reasonabley short notice:-
Chinook - probably the RAF heli of choice, long lead time though I understand
Merlin - Expensive, RAF seem to knock it all the time
Cougar - Old design, probabley avail reasonably quickly but take some time to militarise
Blackhawk - Old design, even with RTMs, small low cabin
S-92 - Don't know much about it but hear there are problems with it
A149 - Not flown yet probably too small
Nothing else really on the stocks, maybe the drawing board but gestation too long. So a toss up between size and offshore purchase. I still think a mix would be better you don't want half full Chinooks. So some Chinook and Cougar or Merlin with A149 as an ousider.
Comment anyone
LB